Maple Grove's Charlie Horton, better known as by the nickname Bubba, threw a four-hitter for the Crimson in a 2-0 victory over St. Michael-Albertville on May 15, 2015. Photo by Brian W Nelson, SportsEngine

Horton said his parents first called him Bubba to avoid confusion at home. Horton’s father is also named Charlie, but eschewed bestowing on the younger Charlie the more obvious moniker of Chuck in favor of something less traditional. But Horton has no clue why.

“We had to find a nickname, but I’m not really sure where Bubba came from,” Horton said.

Horton helped the Crimson to state tournament appearances in 2016 and 2017. He went on to join the University of Minnesota baseball team, where he has appeared in 27 games in three seasons.

Boys' lacrosse

2017: Eastview pushes Farmington aside, keeps perfect season intact

Eastview’s 2012 state championship team, known collectively as the Dark Army, has a reputation that is well-known in the community and was still being used five years later to inspire Lightning players.

Eastview's coaching staff awarded a custom-made, black leather pro wrestling championship-style belt to the team's MVP after every game as a way to commemorate the program's only state title team.

The Lighting's 2017 squad — which boasted 10 college commits — may have been close in talent to the 2012 team, but it took on a different persona that wasn't quite as intimidating on the surface.

“We call ourselves the Orcas because they’re the apex predator of the ocean,” said then-senior attackman Noah Lindner. “Everyone thinks it’s the shark, but it’s the orca.”

The Orcas proved they weren't willing to relinquish their position as a top predator on May 11, 2017, by romping of Farmington14-5 and extending Eastview's winning streak to nine games.

The Orcas remained undefeated through the end of the regular season and the first two games of the postseason, but had their time atop the food chain end after being swallowed by a feisty Prior Lake squad in a 6-5 loss in the Section 6 championship.

We identified players that we think had the biggest breakout performances from the 2019 season in softball, baseball, and girls' and boys' lacrosse. Help us determine which was most impressive by voting in the poll.